shhdesigns

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

This is what the snow looked like Tuesday Morning after the blast we had on Monday. Not much along the river but higher elevations got as much as 10-15 cm. Getting to this point to take a picture back at my condo complex I almost fell three times. It was solid ICE!

I ended up walking on the crunchy snow all approximately 2" of it. I made my way down to the boardwalk as I could see folks having a bad time walking along the brickwork. Usually the city sends out a mini bulldozer to clear off the brickwork. The flowering Kale looked lovely covered by snow and shining in the snow.

I love the lacy edges sparking with the melting snow.

Made it down to view the Golden Ears Mountains in the background with no cloud coverage this time.

Snow frozen on to the sign naming the New Westminster Waterfront Esplanade.

An imprint of a star from someones footwear.

At times these pigeons were walking more steady than I but I had the hand railing close if needed.

Monday, 5 December 2016

Sunday morning we woke up to a very rare sight, not really seen since September, Sunny Blue Skies! Of course a walk along the quay was required.

Looking across the river to the Surrey Fraser Docks and towards the Alex Fraser Bridge. I love how the sun was a star burst and the twinkling on the river.

Can you spot the little chickadee on the left trunk of the tree?

I love the look of bare branches against blue skies.

Farther up the river near the River Market looking at the Sky Train Bridge, then the Patullo Bridge and at river level the train bridge you can catch a glimpse of snow on the mountains with clouds.

Another gorgeous silhouette of a tree and the pampas grasses.

I got in my car and drove up the hill to see the North Shore Mountains. Those two peaks to the left in the background are called the Lions. They look like two lions lying on the savannah having a talk together.

Panning to the right you can see some of ski runs of Grouse Mountain where the 2010 Olympics were held.

And peaking farther to the right another of the north shore peaks.

I then drove up to Burnaby Mountain and checked out the view up Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm.

Looking over towards the Lions but not really getting a good view.

I love going up here and checking the surrounding views.

One of many freighters that visit our area.

These views are so wonderful, I have to share that there were signs warning of both coyotes and bear sightings, this is the wilderness so close to the city.

Looking west towards downtown Vancouver and the north shore in the distance. The Totems were a present from a sister city of Burnaby in Japan.

Love the shape this tree has taken with the winds blowing up the mountain.

Here is a better view of some of the Japanese Totems.

Looking towards downtown Burnaby.

Back towards downtown Vancouver.

Zooming in on the previous picture.

Hydrangeas still a beautiful blue colour.

Some more on the other side of the tree.

I picked up my mom with the intent of driving over to the North Shore to look at some lights but there was an issue with traffic. Look at all these pigeons on a light post. Before and after there were none, something about this light attracted them.

The clouds rolling in for a promised snowfall overnight in the city.

Christmas lights coming on along Robson Street in the early dusk.

Remember the promise of snow in the city? Well this is how much has fallen along the river as of ten this morning.

A closer look at the log boom going up river.

The grass and pond adjacent to my suite. Other parts of the lower mainland have much more but being near the water time will tell. Onto my soap box, Vancouverites get a bad rap for not being able to drive in the snow. My personal opinion is that those who are used to dry fluffy snow don't know how to drive in our snow. We've had a lot of rain and the roads get icy and often we have rain as we did down at river level before the snow. We also have lots of hills. So when you see the news showing people sliding down the hills in the city know that I'll lay even money most didn't grow up in the lower mainland and know you don't drive those hills till they are plowed and salted! Off my soap box now.

My front door ready to great the snow. The wreath looked better before they painted my white door read but I still like it. Enjoy your day, we may still get some more snow, fingers crossed!

Saturday, 3 December 2016

Thursday I went out for breakfast at my favourite restaurant on the Quay Angelina's. Afterwards I went for a bit of a walk and checked out the flora and fauna. This is my friend Rita's Beauty Berry. I'm always amazed at the lovely colour it is and how stark the branches are with the pops of colour.

Some of the clusters are quite full.

Others are more shaded.

I usually remember to take photos in January and they are less of the berries to be seen.

Love the how random the branches and berry clusters are.

Would you believe her ever bearing Strawberry plant is still producing fruit?

A few doors down I saw this shelf lichen growing on some wood.

Another larger cluster of this lichen.

Not sure what this is but it is pretty. New Westminster City gardeners have some very eclectic plants that they put on display.

Both the red and the pink bush roses are trying to put out flowers with some success.

The pink ones seem more successful, they often bloom into January here along the Fraser River.

An Azalea still putting a few blooms out.

Pincushion daisies here and there.

These Rhododendrons bloom in February and September but this on has a wonky clock.

Ornamental Kale grows throughout the winter getting very long stocks by February.

We are still having a lot of rain. I think we had 27/30 days in November and 28/31 in October!

Pampas Grass against the grey cloudy skies.

Even though New Westminster is a city we have all different types of visitors and the Coyotes are often seen wandering the boardwalk early in the morning and late at night.

Most of our trees are now without leaves as we've had several windy days with all the rain we've had.

This little guy was all along singing a song.

We may have snow by Saturday night, there is a lot already in the mountains and some expected to fall in the city by Monday...stay tuned.